In 2023 we did two back to back cruises leaving from Los Angeles through the Panama Canal then boarded a second ship in Florida to sail over the Atlantic to Europe. That trip lasted 32 days and was a real bucket list item for us. Given the reference from that 2023 cruise we decided to book a single 32 cruise to the South Pacific for 2024.

The cruise was scheduled to depart from Los Angeles, CA, just like last year, which again is very convenient as we don’t have any flights to deal with and it also is scheduled to return back to LA in 32 days.  the South Pacific has always been one of this exotic destinations that we have had on our list and we were very excited for our departure.

We decided to rent a car for the day to make the trip from Palm Springs to Huntington Beach, CA the morning of the cruise departure. The cost to rent the car was less than $60.00 and the car was electric so no gas costs and they threw in the charging fee. The plan worked perfect where we then UBERed from Huntington Beach Airport to the Cruise Terminal. It was very affordable, convenient, and we will definitely will use this strategy again in the future. Being Princess Platinum Members we boarded with the first group and were in our cabin by 1:30PM…

The first 5 days of the cruise was spent at in the Pacific Ocean sailing from Los Angeles to Honolulu, Hawaii. We always love “sea days” and this was a great way to start this adventure. Relaxing by the pool, watching the ocean, reading, playing daily afternoon games, working out at the gym, nightly before dinner drinks enjoying a piano bar, dinner at a restaurant, and then often a show in the Theatre.

In 2023 we were sailing on the cruise and were able to watch UCONN win the 2023 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship on the Big Screen. It was an exciting game and a perfect night under the stars watching basketball, Now 2024 an entire year later who could have predicted UCONN is again in the NCAA Championship game and we are again on a Princess cruise. We were so looking forward to watching the game again on the Outdoor ” Big Screen” but unfortunately they weren’t streaming it. UGH… We made several inquiries on the ship tried to find a location somewhere’s to watch with no success. Last resort we headed to our balcony room and were able to stream it live on Joanne’s IPAD. The upgrade by Princess to StarLink connectivity this year which was included in our cruise package saved the evening. The internet is FAST, reliable and worked perfectly. AND UCONN cut down the nets again!!!

On April 8th we were in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, on our way to Hawaii, and we had hoped to see the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse but unfortunately our location wasn’t prime. We were prepared with our glasses but that was a bust aside form a very small southern view. Oh well we were still ready…

On April 11, 2024 we arrived at our first port of this 32 day cruise in Honolulu, Hawaii. We had been to Honolulu back in the 80’s for 10 days where we did memorable tours of the the Arizona Memorial, Dole Pineapple Factory, Waimea Falls, Sunset Beach, and several other popular locations. Wanting to do something different this time we decided that a hike to the top of Diamond Head not far from Waikiki Beach would be an excellent adventure while also getting some exercise and lord knows we needed it give those rolls we were eating at dinner every night…

We often enjoy doing our own planning given our lifestyle so we opted out of any for tours in Hawaii and rather ventured onto the local bus system that took us to the baes of Diamond Head State Monument to begin our trail ascent… The All Trails App lists the hike as moderately difficult primary because of the elevation gain we are assuming. It is a well trafficed and after paying your $5.00 entrance fee you begin a 2 mile hike which includes about 515 feet of elevation gain, with several switchbacks, a rather steep staircase section, and a 225 lit tunnel through the mountain. At the top you can see panoramic views of Waikiki Beach, South Shore, The Pacific Ocean and The harbor. We definitely enjoyed this hike and the views were excellent…

 

With our hike completed we decided since we really enjoy walking and we still had plenty of time we would walk most of the way back to the cruise terminal. Yes this was a long way, but doable… On the way back on Waikiki Beach we decided to get Mac a gift which we could mail form here and get a prescription we forgot to pick up before departing along with another “Rummikub Game” which we love to play and forgot and didn’t have any to borrow on the boat. Target turned out to be a good stop for everything except the dress Joanne bought form a street vendor for Mac.

WE had a terrific day exploring Honolulu and Diamond Head. Definitely got some exercise and checked off a few To Do’s as well as a bucket list item thinking to the peak. We had a relaxing evening reflecting on the day and got to bed early as tomorrow we arrive at our next port…

April 12, 2024 we arrive at the island of Maui. This is our first trip to Maui. Usually cruises dock near the historic city of Lahaina but because of the catastrophic fires last year ships can no longer dock there and they have moved the dock location to Kahului, Hawaii. This location is nowhere’s as picturesque as Lahaina, as it’s an industrial port, near the airport. Our decision was to walk off the boat, take and UBER to the airport, where we could rent a car, and enjoy our first visit to Maui.

We had requested a convertible for the day hoping for a MINI but unfortunately had to settle for a Red Camaro. Not bad for the day. Our plan was to some nice scenic drives around the countryside, a drive up to the top of Halakalea National Park , where Joanne can get her Passport Book stamped, and then a drive along a section of the famous “Road To Hana” and maybe stop at some waterfalls or beach. Yes we had an aggressive day planned.

 

Departing Haleakala National Park the drive was excellent. We stopped at a private water falls area where we hiked for a spell and toured the foliage and wild flowers… Wailele Farms -Twin Falls, Maui is a family owned and operated bio-diverse farm with some spectacular scenery.

 

We drove back through several towns on the “Road to Hana” but certainly will need to someday return here so we can do the entire 6-8 drive…

As we headed towards the South Pacific over the next 5 days we did another bucket list item on April 17, 2024, We crossed the International Date Line by sea, Apparently most cruise lines make this a big deal. As first timers whom are considered mere pollywogs many of our fellow passengers were engaged in the tradition of the Crossing the Line ceremonies. this is where they are put through a series of initiation rites involving harrowing and often embarrassing tasks, gags, and obstacles. Certainly it is done in all good fun and we all graduated to the status of “Shellbacks” after the crossing and ceremony…

April 18, 2024:

We have met a German couple that spent some time with us organizing a trip to Germany and areas around there for a three month travel plan. Seems very intriguing and Mike also spent some time meeting with future cruise planners and we put a deposit on a world cruise because of a great deal we could get if we book while on this cruise. This is definitely cancelable before Sept so we’ll see what transpires in the meantime and see what happens. It would be on the Island Princess which we have never cruised on before and we know is an older, refurbished ship, that is smaller than most ships we have been on. But after reading reviews most are very positive and people love the world cruise!

April 18, 2024- or is it April 19th?

At this point with all the changes in setting the clocks back plus the crossing of the International Date Line I’m not really even sure what date it actually is!  But I’m writing about the day we are in Apia Western Samoa.  The docking is beautiful with a group of native chanters on the dock to welcome us to their country.  We had decided not to arrange for a ship excursion for this port knowing we could walk into town, the cultural center and some other areas of interest.  As we get off the ship we head to the right. Because Mike has had a bad head cold we are going to find some NyQuil along our path today. But as we walk along the streets and through town we see that is not a realistic thought!  We do stop into a very primitive market and also into a pharmacy but no way they would have anything like that. We decide to look on the ship when we return.  We do find the cultural center and decide to make arrangements to attend the 10:30 show.  The cost is 20 Tala (their currency) so will need to hit up the ATM to get some!  That is easy and we get probably the last two seats for the show. It is very crowded and they do not limit the number of tickets they sell so there are many people standing and it is very difficult to see much.  If you have the opportunity, try to get closer to the front,  where you can see some basket weaving and other crafts they make.  From the beginning of the show they move us to another section of the property where they demonstrate cooking over an open fire.  With the crowd this is pretty much a nightmare!  It is crowded and already super hot weather wise and then add the open fire and smoke and it is very unpleasant. But we manage to see bits and pieces through people that are standing closer.  Next up is a Atwood carving demonstration. This does get disrupted by a woman passing out (probably from the heat) and so we see and hear very little of that part of the program.  The last section was the most enjoyable with dancing and singing.  Then they passed out some of the food they had cooked.  All in all worth the small amount of money we paid.  Afterwards we took some pictures and headed back to the ship hoping to come across the Robert Louis Stevenson museum or the Marine preserve.  We never find the museum and the preserve looked too primitive so we skipped it. Happy to be back on the ship for some food and a swim!  We are refreshed and enjoy the departure; though it is an hour late as we await the return of 3 guests that we don’t think ever made it make on board!

 

 

April 19, 2024

Pago Pago

Yesterday as we rehashed the day with our German friends (Chris and Eckard) we decided to meet up for our day in Pago Pago to share a taxi for a tour of the island.  We meet on the back Terrace at 8:30 and by 9:00 are off the ship in search of a taxi driver. Mike and Eckard are pretty set on one so off we go!  But we all soon realize this is a nightmare!  The driver (Lio) speaks no English, does not seem to know what we mean by a tour and after 45 minutes we tell him to take us back to the ship. He is disappointed but it would have been a wasted day for us if we had continued on. It takes a bit of time and we come across a nice native man that see’s our dilemma and tries to help us. After a bit of time he comes back with Paul who speaks good English and we arrange an actual tour where he will narrate while he drives us to some of the highlights of the island. He begins taking us to some higher points where we get some great views and pictures but I think the highlight for all 4 of us was the Turtle and Shark Legend Site.  Just beautiful crashing waves and a sort of blow hole. The water absolutely stunningly blue. We also stop for pictures at Flower Pot Rocks, and the National Park (where of course Joanne got her passport stamp!

We began around 10:00 and finished around 1:00. As we walked back to the ship we wandered through some of the craft tents but find nothing worth purchasing!  Mike does stop in a hardware store and is able to get two small batteries for the air tags and Joanne was able to mail the Mother’s Day card to mom at the post office right across the street from the dock!

We get back on board and get some food and a beer and relax at the Terrace Pool until dinner time.  As we just feel like it is tough keeping up with all the night shows for 32 days we skip the show for tonight knowing there will be another show tomorrow night!

Although we enjoyed both of these last two ports we both agree that we have been here and do not need to return again!  The living conditions here are very primitive and there are dogs roaming everywhere. Our taxi driver said to beware as some of the dogs are not friendly and will bite!

Monday April 22,2024

Suva, Figi

This morning we get up early to watch the ship pull in to port. We have an early / long excursion so we get breakfast and head to The Wheelhouse to wait to be called to the bus.  Everything is pretty well organized (considering it is a very primitive island!). Suva is the big city but we get bussed about an hour from the cruise port to a village on a river. There are two full bus loads of us for this excursion.  The guide on our bus gives pretty good commentary of the area / island and its people.  Mike is (of course) named our chief of the day.  We learn three words; Bula (hello or any good salutation), Vinaka (Thank you), and (Good Bye).

Once at the river head we get into swim suits (changing area very primitive) and get life jackets on. We will be traveling in long boats to a path leading to a waterfall. The river is called Anaconda River (to Anaconda Falls) because the movie Anaconda was filmed here.  The boat ride is nice; we see the area and landscapes.  When we get to some shallow rapids we pull up to a piece of land to walk to the other side where the boat will pick us up again bc the motor is not strong enough to make it though the rapids with all of us in it!  We are beginning to realize that some of the people on this excursion should not be on it!  But all of the guides are very accommodating and helpful, giving a hand to those that have mobility issues or carrying backpacks that are heavy.  We both wore our trail runners but many chose to wear flip flops which have to be difficult to navigate in.

Once to the pathway to the falls there is a paved path (primitive) with ropes to hold on to up to the falls with a pool to swim in.  The path is not difficult for Mike and I and we both get into the pool (which is chilly).  We take the path back down and change into dry clothes.

Next up is a Kava ceremony with chief Mike as the center of attention (and another chief from the other bus also from CT!).  He gets to taste the cava.  There is some chants and dancing by the people of the village followed by lunch (some local fare and subway sandwiches for those less willing to try the local fare (both of us try the local fare).

We end the day with  the ride home and then a stroll through the city.  Suva is a pretty big city with many, many people walking around; some tourists and some locals.  It is very hot and crowded and after about 30-45 minutes of walking around we call it a day and get back on the ship for a nice drink and swim in the pool.  Although the entertainment for the evening is by local people, we are tired and hot from the day and head back to the cabin.  The ship pulls out around 11 and it is just a short trip over to Dravuni so that is where we will wake up!

Tuesday April 23, 2024

Dravuni, Figi

This should be a pretty relaxing day on the island with not much there.  This island is known to our ship’s staff as Gillian’s Island because it is so primitive and small. There is a village where we dock but only about 200 inhabitants on the island.  It is very primitive. The villagers are very nice but there is nothing Mike or I need to purchase there. We take a walk to the top of the highest point to get a great 360 degree view of the entire area. BEAUTIFUL!  But it is hot and the climb up is fairly steep. Combine the two and we are sweltering!  We get back to the bottom and Joanne gets into her swimsuit to cool off in the beautiful waters of Figi.  We get a nice, refreshing swim and then get on the line to get the tender back to the ship. We find out as we are on line that a man got into so trouble while he was snorkeling and two Fijians had to pull him out, do CPR on him. They transported him back to the ship but the Doctor onboard couldn’t help so they actually had a helicopter come onto the island for him.  Very scary thought! This is a reminder that you need travel medical evacuation insurance…

Once back on the ship we get a swim in to wash the salt and sand off us then a game of Rummikub and a beautiful view as we pull away from the island of Dravuni, Figi!

 

Saturday April 27

Papeete, Tahiti

At this port we have an excursion to snorkel ( billed as a lagoon sail and snorkel adventure) but we do not have to que up until 12:50. We agree to meet our German friends Christiana (Chris) and Eckhard on the pier at 9:30 to see some of the city before our excursion.  As we walk out of the port area we are told to go left so that’s what we did. This led us directly into the heart of the city.

(PS:Joanne noticed later, from the cabin balcony, going right, as depart the port area would have taken us right to a promenade along the waterway.  Wish we had done that but we never did!  But if you come here try to take the time to walk along that area by all the sailboats lined up.  There were probably some great photo ops along that walk.)

As we headed in to find the food and craft market (Chris was looking to buy some black Tahitian pearls).  This is only a short walk from the ship and was fun to wander through and check out the wares.  Joanne finds two flower clips for herself and we find a little solar hula dancer for Mac.

Once we finish with the marketplace we had heard of a French Polynesian garden in the heart of the city not far from the market. On the way to the garden, we pass an historic cathedral.  The garden is pretty easy to find (it is right next to McDonald’s!) and it is a peaceful walk right in the middle of the city!  Koi ponds and lots of garden flowers. PLUS- very clean toilets for public use!  No entry charge.  We finish at that park and walk directly into another city park; though this one is not as nice and has some homeless people just hanging out.

We wander some more but it is very hot and we want to freshen up a bit before our snorkeling adventure gets going so we head back to the ship for about an hour; potty down, eat a little something, get a Diet Coke then head back out.  The snorkel trip is fun although we see a lot of fish, and many varieties, we are both disappointed that the fish are not larger. But no matter- we enjoy the time in the water seeing the fish and coral then the lagoon sail. At one point we have to cross a reef where large waves are crashing and some people are “surfing”. The water is a gorgeous shade of blue.  It is a great afternoon and around 4:00 we are back at the ship to prepare for the evening.  We relax at the rail on the back of the ship before we shower for dinner.  We aren’t due to sail out until 4 am and we look to have a great view of the port and shopping area from our balcony after the sun goes down and the city lights up!

The entertainment after dinner is a local group (probably the reason we aren’t sailing out till so late) and it is fun to watch the native dances (wow those women can hula dance!) and hear the chants and singing.

So far Tahiti is our favorite of all the ports on this cruise!

Sunday April 28, 2024

Moorea, Tahiti

It’s up and at em early this morning as our Moorea by 4X4 excursion que’s up at 7:30!  As Joanne opens the curtain we see it does not appear to be a sunny day :-(. We must be some of the last people to make it onto this excursion because by the time we get on our jeep there are only 5 in the back of our jeep, while the other 4 jeeps have 8 people in each one!  So we have a little more space to spread out!  The tour takes us up a very steep hill to a garden where we get a small tour then get to taste some marmalade and some other homemade goodies.  While up there we can get some great pics of the harbor where the boat is anchored (this is a tender port).  The next two hours are spent doing some rugged riding though mud, streams, various stops for photo ops, and a nice residential area. 

On of the highlights of this day was an impromptu ceremonial Polynesian ritual dance performed by one of our tour guides at a historic ceremony for their culture. His emotional delivery gave me goosebumps and it was exhilarating to watch!

All in all this was a good way to see the island. We both agreed we really liked the island and would consider returning.  Once the jeep returned to the ship, we wandered through the pavilion with natives selling their wares. Joanne bought a black, Tahitian pearl necklace and we enjoyed some more native music.

 The views from the ship at the end of the day are awesome as we recap the day…

April 29- May 7:

Once we finished at our last port of call Moorea, Tahiti we had 8 sea days to relax and have fun on the ship and relax… Mike continued to work on his blogging and Joanne found some dance classes and craft projects on board that she enjoyed… Being 2 people usually on the travel go this down time definitely boded well for us.

We did get to know some new German friends on this trip that we had a terrific time getting to know and Eckhard was so generous with his time during these days to help Mike plan out a German/Europe Journey and a Baltic Journey on some future trip.

A South Pacific Adventure has been on our list for many years and now as we reflect back on it we are so glad we added it to our 2024 Revolutionary Journey…